Hammer holster



Aug. 13, 1963 A YJ. BoHLsr-:N

HAMMER HOLSTER Filed Aug. 1e, 1960 ATTORNEYJ United States Patent() 3,100,590 HAMMER HLSTER Albert l'. Bahlsen, 2h17 S, Alhoin, Fairmont, Minn. Filed Aug. Ilo, i960, Ser. No. 49,938 .5 Claims. (Cl. 224-) This invention relates generally to carriers for hand toolsyand more particularly it relates to a hammer holster for carrying a hammer with its handle in an upstanding position with relation to the head thereof.

An important object of this invention is to the provision of a hammer holster which is adapted to securely hold 1a hammer in a readily available position without` imparing the desirable rapidity of removal thereof.

tAnother object of my invention is the provision of a hammer holster which is adapted to carry a hammer in a position in which the vuser thereof may quickly insert and remove the same merely by using one of his hands. This feature is particularly desirable when the user of the hammer is situated, such as on a scaffold, so that there is no available place for laying the hammer, and also when he is working so that he has only one free hand.

Another object `of this invention is the provision of a hammer holster which provides a maximum of protection to the hammer Without so securely enclosing the same that its availability is adversely affected.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a hammer holster lwhich is adapted to be easily and quickly attached to the belt of the user, and which may be so disposed on either the right or left side of the users person. i 1

Other objects of this invention reside in the provision of la hammer holster Which is economical in construction,

extremely durable and strong throughout continued usev FIG. l is a view in elevation of my hammer holster as worn on the person of a user thereof;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in top plan;

FIG. 3 is a view in section taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2; and t FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing a modified form of a portion of my invention.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawing the hammer holster is represented generally by the reference numeral 1, and it is shown in FIG. l in its normally carried position on the body or person of the user, represented generally by the reference letter A. The hammer holster l is designed for carrying a ham mer, represented in its entirety by the reference letter B, with the handle c thereof disposed in an opstanding position with relation to the hammer head d. The hammer holster l may be adapted to carry substantially any type or size of hammer, :and is particularly useful in carrying a claw hammer. The hammer head d, as shown for illustrative purposes herein, comprises oppostte ends e and f.

The hammer holster 1 comprises a generally vertically disposed relatively thin back plate, represented generally by the reference numeral 2. The back plate 2 has front and rear faces 3 and 4, respectively. The hammer holster l may he constructed, preferably by casting, from any suitable material such as plastic or metal.

An upwardly opening elongated pocket, represented gent erally by the referenceV numeral 5, is secured near the lilhf Patented Aug. i3, 1963 ice bot-tom 6 of the front face 3 of the back plate 2. The pocket 5 is preferably, and as shown, of a longitudinal length slightly greater than the length of the hammer head d and is adapted to receive the hammer head d so that the handle c thereof is disposed adjacent the front face 3 of the back plate 2. The pocket 5 has a generally `flat bottom wall 7 and end walls S which substantially enclose the hammer head d. The pocket 5 is preferably, 'and as shown, integrally formed with the back plate 2 for added strength and rigidity.

A transversely extending pin 9 is rigidly secured 4to or integrally molded with one end 16l of the pocket 5 in overlying relationship to one end e of the hammer head d when the same is received within the pocket 5, and provides means for retaining the hammer head d within the pocket 5 and limiting upward movement thereof. Although the pin 9 is shown as being disposed in a position to overlie the end e of the hammer head d which defines the striking face g thereof, it should be obvious that the same could be disposed `overthe other end f of the hammer head d with equal efficiency in operation.

In order to limit transverse movement of the hammer handle c when the hammer head d is received within the pocket 5, the hammer handle retaining means, represented generally by the reference numeral 1l, is provided. The handle retaining means 1l comprises a swinging elongated lug, represented generally by the reference numeral 13, which is pivotally secured at one of its ends 14 to the front face 3 of the backing plate 2 by means of the pivot pin 15M. The lug 11i is adapted to engage the side k of the hammer handle c so as to retain the hammer handle c against transverse movement when the hammer B is received within the pocket 5*. Preferably,` and as shown, the other end 16 of the lug 13 is formed so as to dene a concave surface l7 which extends in a direction generally transverse to the elongation thereof and which is generally parallel to the axis of the hammer handle c. Such a construction provides greater retention of the hammer handle c since the lug conforms to the rounded surface h of the handle c when it is disposed thereagainst.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified form of the handle retaining means of ymy invention, the said retaining means being represented by the reference numenal 1l. in FIG. 4. The handle retaining means ll' comprises a flexible cord 13 one end 19 of which is secured tothe front face 3 of the backplateZ and the other end 2tlgo'f which terminatos in a knot 21. The knotted end 2d of the cord 13 is adapted .to be engaged by the hook 22 defined by the back Iplate 2 after the `cord has Ibeen wound around the' hammer handle c so las to retain the hammer handle c against transverse movement. Prior to winding the cord 18 around .the hammer handle c the same is slipped over the pin 23' so as to more tightly retain the hammer handle c against the back plate 2. The cord 13 is shown in FIGURE 4 in its handle retaining position. It should he noted that the modification of my invention shown in FIG. 4 conforms to the embodiment thereof disclosed in FIGS. l3 in all other respects not specifically above enumerated. It should also be noted that like parts or element-s shown in both modifications of my invention are designated by like reference characters in the drawings of both modifications.

The bottom wall 7 of the pocket 5 defines a plurality of drainage apertures 24 which allow the escape of Iany Water that might be accumulated therein when the holster l is left out in the rain. FIG. l discloses a plurality of straps 25 which are carried bythe belt -26 of the user A, and are adapted to connect, by means of the fasteners 27, the holster 1 to the ybelt 26 of' the user A. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 2, a sheet of rubberized material `23 is 3 glued or otherwise bonded to the rear face 4 of the back plate 2 so las -to aid in preventing slipping of the holster 1 with relation tothe clothes of the user A during his normal bending movements.

Having specifically described my invention, the operative simplicity thereof should be noted, Although the flat bottom wall 7 of the pocket 5 permits the holster 1 to be stood in-lan vupright position upon a fiat surface, not shown, it is anticipated that my invention will possess its greatest utility when it is carried `on the body or person of the user A -by meansV of the straps 25. In this position, the holster 1 is readily available for quick and easy insertion lor removal ofthe hammer B, the former of which is accomplished'merely lby inserting the end e of the hammer head d underneath the pin 9 and moving the hammer handle c until the hammer head d engages the bottom Wall 7 of the pocket 5. Then the lug 14 is pivoted until the concave surface 17 thereof engages the other side k of the handle c so as to securely lock the handle c against any transverse movement. It should be obvious, that when it is desired to remove the hammer B from the holster 1 the lug 14 is merely lifted out of engagement with the hammer handle c and the hammer B removed upwardly from the holster 1. Of course, if the modification of the fastening means 11 shown in FIG. 4 is employed, the retaining action of the cord 2l is substituted for the above-described operation of the pivotal lug 14.

This invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects; and while I have chosen a preferred embodiment thereof, I wishit to be specifically understood that the same may be modified without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

vl. A hammer holster for carrying a hammer with its handle in an upstanding position with relation to the head thereof, said holster comprising a generally vertically disposed hack plate having front and rear faces, an upwardly opening elongated pocket secured to the lfront face of the lower portion of said back plate, said pocket being of a length generally approximating theV length `of -said hammer head and adapted to receive the head of said hammer so that the. handle thereof is disposed adjacent said back plate, hammer head retaining means at one end of said pocket adapted to retain one end of said ha-mmer head and limiting upward movement thereof, and hammer handle retaining means connected to said back plate yand adapted to limit transverse movement of said hammer handle when said hammer head is received within said pocket, said hammer handle retaining means comprising a lug secured to said hacking plate and mounted for pivotal movements into and out `of engagement with the hammer Vhandle when the hammer is carried by said holster.

2. The structure defined in claim l in which said hammer head retaining means comprises a transversely eX- tending pin rigidly secured to said pocket in overlying relationship to and in engagement with one end of said Yhammer head when said hammer head is received Within a length generally approximating the length vof said harnmer head and adapted to receive the headof said hammer so that the handle thereof is disposed adjacent said back plate, hammer head retaining means at one end of said pocket adapted to retain one end of said hammer head and limiting upward movement thereof, and hammer handle retaining means connected to said back plate and adapted to limit transverse movement of said hammer handle when said ham-mer head is received within said pocket, said hammer head retaining means comprising a transversely extending pin rigidly secured to said Vpocket in overlying relationship to land in engagement with one end of said hammer head when said hammer head is received Within said pocket, said hammer handle retaining `means comprising a swinging elongated lug pivotally sehandle as said pin when said hammer is carried by said` holster, and said lug being mounted for pivotal movements into and out of engagement with said side of said hammer handle lwhen said hammer is carried by said holster.

4. The structure dened in claim 3 in which the other end of said elongated lug is formed to provide a generally concave portion adapted to enga-ge and conform generally to the rounded surface of said hammer handle when said lug is moved into its said engagement with said handle.`

5. A hammer holster for carrying a hammer with its handle in an opstanding position with relation to the head thereof, said holster comprising a generally vertically disposed back plate having front and rear faces,` an upwardly opening elongated pocket secured to the front face of the lower portion of said back plate, said pocket being of length 'generally approximating the length of said hammer head and adapted to receive the head of said hammer so that the handle thereof is disposed adjacent-said back plate, hammer head retaining means at one end of said pocket adapted to retain one end of said hammer head and limiting upward movement thereof, said hammer head retaining means comprising a transversely extending pin rigidly secured to said pocket in overlying relationship to one end of said hammer head when said hammer head is received within said pocket, said holster further comprising hammer handle retaining means connected to`said hack plate and adapted to limit transverse movement of said hammer handle when said hammer head is received within said pocket, said hammer handle retaining means comprising a swinging `elongated lug pivotally secured at one of its ends tothe front face of said hack plate and disposed so as to be on the same side of said hammer handle as said pin when said hammer is carried by said holster, and said elongated lug lfurther comprising a removable and replaceable end portion secured to the other end of said lug Iand having a generally concave portionV References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,956,715 Henderson Oct. 18, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Y 491,669 Great Britain Sept. 7, 1938 

1. A HAMMER HOLSTER FOR CARRYING A HAMMER WITH ITS HANDLE IN AN UPSTANDING POSITION WITH RELATION TO THE HEAD THEREOF, SAID HOLSTER COMPRISING A GENERALLY VERTICALLY DISPOSED BACK PLATE HAVING FRONT AND REAR FACES, AN UPWARDLY OPENING ELONGATED POCKET SECURED TO THE FRONT FACE OF THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID BACK PLATE, SAID POCKET BEING OF A LENGTH GENERALLY APPROXIMATING THE LENGTH OF SAID HAMMER HEAD AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE HEAD OF SAID HAMMER SO THAT THE HANDLE THEREOF IS DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID BACK PLATE, HAMMER HEAD RETAINING MEANS AT ONE END OF SAID POCKET ADAPTED TO RETAIN ONE END OF SAID HAMMER HEAD AND LIMITING UPWARD MOVEMENT THEREOF, AND HAMMER HANDLE RETAINING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID BACK PLATE AND ADAPTED TO LIMIT TRANSVERSE MOVEMENT OF SAID HAMMER HANDLE WHEN SAID HAMMER HEAD IS RECEIVED WITHIN SAID POCKET, SAID HAMMER HANDLE RETAINING MEANS COMPRISING A LUG SECURED TO SAID BACKING PLATE AND MOUNTED FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENTS INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE HAMMER HANDLE WHEN THE HAMMER IS CARRIED BY SAID HOLSTER. 